Cappadocia Ballooning – Valley of the Chimneys / Photo from Traces in the Sand

Cappadocia in Turkey is an underground fantasyland of fairy chimneys and churches. The astounding geological beauty of Cappadocia is a wonder-destination of Central Anatolia. It is an extensive island district, where nature and history mix-match most beautifully. This fantasyland has so much to offer ranging from ‘fairy chimneys’ and churches cut out of soft rock formations to some amazingly intricate systems of tunnels and underground cities. It is an exotic diversity found in the crucible of culture where East meets West!

Cappadocia – Goreme Village by Traces in the Sand. The amazing and bizarre village of Goreme, literally cut from the strange rock formations of Cappadocia. / Photo from Traces in the Sand

Nestled in the center of Anatolian peninsula, Cappadocia has become one of the most notable tourist destinations in Turkey. The uniqueness of the region was formed by the eruption of Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hassan, some 60 million years ago that spread a thick layer of ash over the area. With time, this hardened into a soft porous stone known as tufa. Coincidentally, the erosion by rain and wind created valleys in the soft rock that left behind higher sections of interesting formations known as ‘fairy chimneys’.

Village in Cappadocia / Photo from C.T. Henry

Cappadocia boasts of several underground hidden cities and intricate tunnels that were mostly used by early Christians as hiding places. The inhabitants could hide thousands of people and animals within these complexes, which had wells, chimneys, stables and even tombs.

Goreme – Celestial Canopy / Photo from Traces in the Sand

The region was a Roman province and the refuge of persecuted Christians during the early days of the Roman Empire. For most of the Byzantine era, it remained relatively undeterred by the conflicts in the area, first with the Sassanid Empire and later against the Islamic expansion led by Arabs. Though the early Christians are credited with the building of this mysterious supercity but some historians believe that few parts date back to the end of the Ice Age – 9500 BC.

Church carved from rocks by early persecuted Christians / Photo from shapeshift

The people living here used heavy rolling stone doors to prevent invaders from entering. They dug deep wells for water, and constructed tall chimneys for ventilation. Surprisingly the inhabitants even curved highly structured churches, wine presses, oil storage, cooking-places out of the rock so that they could live for weeks underground until it was safe outside.

Fairy Chimney Hotel in Göreme / Photo from Curious Expeditions

Uçhisar / Photo from ex novo

Cappadocia has dozens of underground cities, but the most elaborate ones are at Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. One of the most fascinating areas is Goreme, which accommodates an open-air museum that stands visually striking with its ‘fairy chimney’ volcanic cones. Surprisingly over 30 of the best-preserved churches of Cappadocia can be seen here. Avanos is another pretty town on the Kizilirmak, where inhabitants make their living from the malleable river clay for years, shaping everything from pots and roofing tiles to statues and more.

The huge and sprawling Selime Rock Monastery was carved out the rock by Christian monks in the 13th century. A steep climb is the only way to access it. / Photo from Curious Expeditions

Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are known as Capadocia’s deepest and the most elaborate underground cities. Kaymakli was cut out of volcanic soft stone (tufa) as deep as 300 feet during the period covering sixth to the tenth centuries. The underground city of Derinkuyu is estimated to have twenty floors, out of which only eight can be visited today with an estimated capacity to bear 20,000 people.

Kaymaklı underground city / Photo from flurryofsmoke

Map of the underground city of Kaymakli, Cappadocia, Turkey. / Photo from ddminets

Soganli valley, Uchisar, Zelve, Urgup, witnesses some splendid scenery and age-old rock carved churches and chapels that are unique geographical, historical and cultural features. The pigeon valley between Goreme and Uchisar offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and some fabricated caves, passing through few tunnels, carved within the rock. Nearly 35 multi-level complexes including the networks at Ozkonak, Derinkuyu and Kaymakli have not yet been fully explored.

Kaymakli underground city / Photo from Amm|t

These subterranean towns with carved out rock caves, pointed termite mounted looking structures has a supernatural feeling and it is almost magnificent in all directions. These cities were abandoned in late 14^th century.

Pigeon Valley / Photo from Panpan TW

Central Turkey. Pigeon valley / Photo from Nora Shalaby

The stunnig village of Uchishar at sunset / Photo from flurryofsmoke

The Past and the Present – Pigeon Valley / Photo from BurgundyMT

Selime Monastery Jutting Rock / Photo from Curious Expeditions

President Kim Il Sung Eternal Sun / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The economic crisis of North Korea has not kept off this country from boasting of its self-claimed superiority over the rest of the world. Though it has a severe lack of resources, North Korea is ready to go to any extent to glorify its isolated communist stance and the strict regime of its line of rulers–Kim Il-Sung succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Il.

People mobilized in support of juche or something / Photo from hungry_i

It will require you a visit to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea and a look at the Ryugyong Hotel to give you the creeps. This unfinished and abandoned 105-storey structure standing tall in the Potong District will give you an eerie feeling of a well-furnished desert. The poorest exhibit of North Korean engineering, the construction of this hotel started back in 1987 at an estimated budget of $750 million. The country was immeasurably proud about this prestigious project until it was abandoned in 1996 due to shortage of funds.

Ryugyong hotel dominating the Pyongyang skyline / Photo from Pricey

Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang / Photo from douglascain

Today if you look up at the structure closely, you can see the gaping holes in place of the doors, windows and fittings. The actual culprit was the below-average quality of concrete used for its construction that made it useless for occupancy even if it were completed. However, the inauguration planning was elaborate as the hotel was deemed the venue for World Festival of Youth and Students in June 1989. Though the construction did not really keep pace with this aim, it still stands as the lone 1,083 feet tall structure, towering over the skyline of Pyongyang.

Pyongyang view – DPRK / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North Korean highway – DPRK / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Streets of Pyongyang / Photo from bryanh

Though the failing economy and the unending chain of natural disasters never cease to haunt North Korea, the government still nurtures a dream that the skeleton of this 5-star hotel is likely to fetch foreign investors to the land. However, North Koreans feel such a massive cause of embarrassment about the hotel that they are ready to overlook any topic related to it with outsiders. But what they fail to see is that the apparently spacious streets and layout of Pyongyang looks equally empty and ghostly.

Guess what we think of you / Photo from boobootoo2

US welcomed! North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

You might not feel so when you first visit Pyongyang, which is also the oldest city of North Korea. Its Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Juche Tower, Rungrado May Day Stadium and the large golden statues of North Korea’s two leaders are worthy of tourist admiration. Its extensive metro networks connecting several of the North Korean cities and intercity trains apart from its tram and trolleybus services are indeed eye-catching. Yet, you find a remarkable lack of private cars and conveyance in the streets of this communist country that sets it apart from other communist nations like China.

Monument to Party Foundation in Pyongyang / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The grey side of Pyongyang / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

As a tourist, you will face problems exerting your freedom of traveling and visiting most of the spots of North Korea alone. You will not be allowed to travel between two spots without a local guide with you. In spite of being the citizens of one of the poorest nations of the world, you will find the children singing, “We are the happiest children in the world.”

Looking at each others – North korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Kim Jong Il and the kids / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

The costume of the local men and women are identical to the point of uniform-like regularity with a red Kim Il Sung badge or the North Korean flag flaunting over it. You cannot hope of buying one or befriending a local, since this is a punishable offense and is rewarded with imprisonment.

Arirang North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Reflections North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

Kim Il Sung North Korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

A busy sunday afternoon in Pyongyang North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North-Korea – Pyongyang / Photo from Fispace

Pyongyang metro North Korea 북한 / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

North Korea — Pyongyang, Department Store / Photo from (stephan)’s

Not so bored with the USA! North Korea / Photo from Eric Lafforgue

If you love motor adventure and want to romp about the streets of the highest village of the world, Kibber in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India should be your next ideal destination. Located at an altitude of 4200 m, the densely populated Kibber village welcomes you with its picturesque locales. Connected by tarmac roads, Kibber can be reached by taking a bus from the nearby Kaza or a jeep on hire from its taxi stand. Once you step down in Kibber, you can undertake pleasurable trekking expeditions to some of the most exquisite spots around this village.

What to see

Your first stop should be the Buddhist Ki Monastery located at the upper end of Kibber. This spectacular building contains a big carved prayer wheel inside along with a number of interesting frescos that you can explore. Surprisingly, this sacred place is where teacher of the present Dalai Lama expired in 1980s. Look out for the prayer flags fluttering over this monastery and the several small cairns decked up with rams horns.

You can bend your steps towards the village Chichum that you can reach across the Parilungbo canyon. This trek will take you a 2-3 hours’ duration that you can shorten by opting for the bridge joining the slopes of the gorge. However, a shortcut will deprive you of the wonders that you would have otherwise experienced on the way. You can take an even longer trek from Kibber to Ladakh through the traditional trade route that will require a minimum three nights’ halt. Gete and Tashigang villages are the other spots that you can touch.

If you desire an easy hiking expedition during your stay at Kibber, the Dangmachan peak standing tall at 5157 m should interest you. This hike will take you along highland pastures that are not directly visible from the village itself. However, the captivating sights of 6000 m+ Shilla and Chau Chau Kang Nilda peaks are just perfect for photography. A clear night at Kibber will reveal a marvelous naked eye view of the Milky Way that you cannot simply forget.

Khibber has a unique tranquility reverberating about its pure and fresh natural environs. Owing to its close location to the Tibetan border, it is mostly inhabited by Tibetan Buddhists whose warmth and peace-loving natures perfectly synchronize with the stretches of greenery of the cultivated lands of this village.

What is very interesting about the architectural style of the houses of Kibber is that they are made of stone in place of the usual adobe brick and mud. This imparts a rather rocky look to the inhabited parts of Kibber. If you go around the village, you will find a post office, a civil dispensary, a telegraph office and high school in the village. There is a clear water source in Kibber that reportedly originated when the funeral rites of the lama were being performed there.

The fully electrified Kibber village has immense tourist potentiality, the reason why there are so many guesthouses throughout this village. Some of these like the famous Norling Guesthouse have restaurant facilities that contain ready stocks of beer. If you want a room with an attached bath, go for the second floor accommodations that are slightly costlier than an ordinary room. Supply of beer and hot water are provided on request. Even if you fall short of your own supplies, you can replenish your stores by buying basic provisions from the shops of Kibber.

Ranking among the best hotels, Hotel Salto Chico enjoys the advantage of a great location. Easy to access through the daily flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas, you get a royal reception and pick up facilities right at the airport. Once you step into the hotel, you will be charmed by the superb interiors and accommodation facilities that Hotel Salto Chico offers. However, the real charm of this grand hotel lies in its surrounding exterior that offers endless scope for adventure sports and explorations.

The facilities

Hotel Salto Chico offers you the best of facilities to make your stay a memorable one. There are 50 plush rooms, among which 7 offer an open view of the Salto Chico waterfall, 6 suites and 37 Cordillera Paine rooms give you a glimpse into the neighboring Macizo del Paine. You will get top class cuisines, dining, laundry, communication and bar facilities in each of these rooms.

However, before you step out of your cozy deluxe suit and plunge into the wonders of Patagonia, you must take proper preparations. Enjoying your hiking, trekking or skiing ventures will require a full supply of warm clothing. Be prepared with a set of thermal underwear, water-repellent windcheater, gloves, goggles and mountaineering shoes before setting out in the breathtaking locales. You can buy these at the explora shops.

The attractions

You can go for a series of interesting walks as part of your exploration programs originating from Hotel Salto Chico. The Lago Grey peninsula Walk is one such beautiful site that will take you half a day for traveling. The Rio Pingo hanging bridge is the main attraction along with the views of Glacier Grey, icebergs and lenga forests that you can enjoy as much. Alturas Del Toro Walk is perfect for a full-day picnic program. Look out for the natural beauty of Rio Paine and Valle Río Serrano.

The other forms of outdoor enjoyment include a traditional barbeque at Quincho and short walks around Laguna Azul. This full day program will give you a taste of lamb and vegetable barbeque that you will devour with an appetite! These areas have an abundance of wildlife like foxes, geese, condors etc. Boating across Glacier Grey is yet another interesting tourist outing you will love, surveying the gorges, rivers and forests from various lookout points.

If you are not habituated in walking long stretches without taking snacks, the Mirador del Toro Walk should befit you. You get trail snacks during your journey and a unique scope to review the natural setting of the Conaf Park. The mountains Cerro Ferrier and Cerro Donoso towering over Lago Toro and Río Serrano make a beautiful scene. If you are looking for something more, head straight for the archaeological walk from Guarderia Sarmiento to Guarderia Laguna Amarga. You can enjoy the ancient rock paintings found in this area and have a fantastic view of the landscape.

For riders who want to speed through the scenic setting of Chile, exploring the breathtaking forests of Río de las Chinas will prove to be even more romantic. Check out the Sierra Baguales while you gallop away in glory. Riding across Refugio Pehoe, touching attractive spots like Campamento Las Carretas and Río Grey will be even more adventurous.

Estancia 2 de Enero offers you the dual pleasure of a horse ride and trail snacks. While passing through Río Zamora and parts of Laguna Jara, you may observe condors and soaring eagles. Laguna Linda is another similar horse riding spot to offer you trail snacks. The view of upright hills covered with burnt vegetation is the primary attraction of this spot along with the Andean mountain chain.

However, if you are looking for something unique about the Hotel Salto Chico surroundings, do not miss the Torres del Paine National Park. It is a perfect ensemble of varied flora, landscape and wild life specimens. This UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978 is located in central Patagonia and spans over 242,242 hectares. You will go gaga over the lakes, rivers, glaciers and waterfalls covering this National Park. Make time out of your usual trekking and mountaineering expeditions and visit the village of El Calafate and Perito Moreno to complete your accommodation experience at Hotel Salto Chico.

20. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – 120 ft ( 37m )

Puerto Vallarta is more than a resort with its countless scopes for adventure sports in its jungles, beaches and cultural getaways. You can accept the allure of the lush-green waters of Banderas Bay by taking a bungee jump from the adjacent cliffs for $55.00 between 10 am to 6 pm. The superior quality of the jumping equipments allows you to enjoy a safe thrill.

19. Ledge Urban Bungee, Queenstown NZ – 154 ft ( 47m )

Queenstown offers a perfect combination of wild adventures and serene beauty. The Ledge Urban site is known for its unique runaway jumping style whereby you can catch a glimpse of the nighttime beauty of Queenstown. The bungee harness helps you to adopt any posture during the free fall and enjoy a maddening rush of adrenaline.

18. Longqing Gorge Bungee, China – 164 ft ( 50m )

With its green mountains, caves and clear water, Longqing Gorge of northeast Yanqing County is an amazing natural spot for trekking and cruising. However, nothing matches up to bungee jumping. Just gear up some courage and take the plunge. Let your friends capture your action in a camera that you can treasure for a lifetime.

17. Graskop Gorge, South Africa – 197 ft/262 ft (60 m/80 m)

As a potential bungee jumping site, Graskop Gorge offers you a peerless freefall from a height of 18-19 stories of Foefie slide. As you leap off, the cord will take you across the entire width of the gorge in a single sweep. Catch the spectacular beauty of the Graskop Falls as you trail across in the super-fast zipline like a bird.

16. AltaVila Tower, Brasil/BH – 233 ft (71 m)

The Alta Vila Tower of Nova Lima attracts site seers and bungee jumpers alike since it commands a breathtaking view of the mountain-surrounded Belo Horizonte.

15. Corinth Canal, Greece – 260 ft (79 m)

The Corinth Canal works as a connector between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. If you like to plunge down to the canal’s depth, just take a bungee jump from the bridge. This is a regular weekend sport organized by the Zulu Bungy in the summer months.

14. Colorado River, Costa Rica – 279 ft (85 m)

The Colorado River is chiefly the haunt of the hobby fishers though its bridge is an excellent bungee jumping site as well. There are both normal and special all-day long bungee jumping schedules offered by Tropical Bungee to give you diverse ranges of experiences at the highest safety levels.

13. The Pipeline Bungy, New Zealand – 335 ft (102 m)

As you undertake the four seconds of free fall from the longest single span suspension bridge over the raging Shotover River, your heart skips a beat. At the close of these four second, you hang dangerously close to the foamy waters only to be secured in a boat and brought to the shore at the end of the oscillations.

12. Pont de Ponsonnas, France – 338 ft (103 m)

If you deem suspension bridges as the most exciting bungee jumping spots, this is something you can positively rave about. The old dilapidated Pont de Ponsonnas Bridge has been now replaced by concrete-built arch Ponsonnas Bridge to give you an even safer bungee jumping experience.

11. Nevis Highwire Bungy, New Zealand – 440 ft (134 m)

The jump pod overlooking the roaring Nevis River holds an irresistible attraction for the lovers of bungee jumping. This incredible 8.5 seconds of freefall offers you an exciting scope to span the Nevis Valley. Nevis Highwire Bungy shuttles the jumpers to the glass-paneled jump pod to help them have an unforgettable experience.

10. Navajo Bridges, USA – 467 ft (142 m)

Navajo Bridge of Marble Canyon spans across the Colorado River right over the Grand Canyon. The autumnal beauty of its natural setting makes it a lovely bungee jumping spot in late September. The advantage of the superb elevation of the Navajo Bridge is coupled with a unique sense adventure that you associate with bungee jumping.

9. Perrine Bridge, USA – 486 ft (148 m)

You do not need a permit for year round bungee jumping from this bridge connecting the Twin Falls area to the Jerome County. You can find several BASE jumping compeers to share the excitement.

8. Victoria Falls Bridge, Zambia – 500 ft (152 m)

The Victoria Falls Bridge over Zambezi River connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia is reckoned a perfect spot by bungee jumpers to get a close brush of the spraying falls. Once you jump off, the fall may seem to rush up to you at a maddening pace but you can trust the ankle and body harnesses for their full-proof security.

7. Ponte Colossus, Italy – 500 ft (152 m)

You will find this 350 m long bridge awe-inspiring and an inspiring spot for an energetic sport like bungee jumping. It will take you an average of almost 4.5 seconds for the first fall. You need a lot of nerve power to sustain the 100 km/hr vertical velocity of the free fall.

6. The Last Resort, Nepal – 525 ft (160 m)

It gives you a scope to look and jump off from the longest Nepalese suspension bridge across one of the scariest tropical gorges, with the Bhote Kosi River rumbling below. You can remain in air for a long time during your free fall amid the charming valley sights.

5. Niouc, Switzerland – 623 ft (190 m)

( photo taken from the site www.bungy.ch )

Niouc holds the record for the highest bungee jumping spot in Europe. Discover the wild side of Switzerland as you go for an entire array of holiday activities, with bungee jumping topping the list.

4. Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa – 710 ft (216 m)

This unique highest single span arch bridge adds much to the giddy raptures of bungee jumping. Look ahead to the instructions by the jump experts, the tantalizing countdown before the plunge and the smoothest recoils owing to the pendulum bungee technology that makes it the highest commercial bungee jumping venue internationally.

3.  Verzasca Dam, Val Verzasca, Switzerland – 721 ft (220 m)

Ever since the famous James Bond stunt in the movie ‘Goldeneye’, this high arch hydroelectric dam has been one of the favorite haunts for bungee jumpers. You require an advance reservation, a medical check and of course, the proper height and weight proportions for stepping into the shoes of 007.

2. Macau Tower, China – 764 ft (233 m)

This 338 m tall tower holds the provisions for an observation deck for relaxing as well as for undertaking daring sports like bungee jumping or ‘sky jumping’ as it actually feels like. It counts among one of the giddiest entertainments that Macau has to offer to its visitors and locals.

1. Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, USA – 1053 ft (321 m)

Hanging above the Arkansas River, this suspended bridge is an all-time favorite bungee-jumping spot because of its amazing height. It spans over the Royal Gorge Route Railway and has a wooden plank-way for a breathtaking walk across the river.

If the above 20 spots are not exciting enough for you, then choose the Volcano Bungee near Pucon, Chile. Here, you are flown into an active smoking volcano in a helicopter and you can dive for about 450 feet towards the molten lava. Then you take a long line ride back to the airport at around 130 kph being suspended 450 feet below the helicopter. All this for just $9995, it includes other activities and accommodation.

Bingham Canyon Mine is the biggest open pit mine in the world. It is situated west of Salt Lake City, Utah, southwest of West Jordan. This is the largest man made excavation on earth, the mine’s actual pit stretches 4 km (2.5 mi) in width and has a depth of 1.2 km (0.75 mi). The amount of copper produced by the mine is greater that any other mine on the Earth. Everyday a massive quantity of material (450.000 tons) is extracted from the pit.

Bingham Canyon Mine features a huge layered multi-color, barren protrusion extending on the side of Oquirrh Mountains lying on the western Salt Lake Valley. Bingham Canyon Mine is the largest copper, gold, lead and zinc porphyry mine in America.

Although the minerals were discovered in Bingham Canyon during 1850s; however, the extraction from the mine was started in 1873 after the construction of railroad. Settlements increased with construction on the steep walls of the canyon. However, with natural disasters and sophisticated mining techniques, the population of the region declined sharply. In 2005, work started for extending the mine 600 feet east. At present date, full-fledged mining operations continue at Bingham Canyon and it thrives as the biggest open-pit mine on Earth in capacity as well as size.

“This is a 2 shot panorama of the Bingham Canyon Mine West of where I live. It is over 2 1/2 miles across and I dont recall the depth but the Empire State Building wouldn’t even go half way up the mine you see. And I thought Hoover Dam was impressive! There is a small scar from merging the 2 pictures, have no idea how to get rid of it.”- freddyfromutah

“Stitch of Bingham Canyon mine (Bingham, Utah)
Drilling machine drilling holes for dynamite. The wall on the left side will be dynamited soon!” – Berten Smekens

Laguna en Salar de San Pedro de Atacama

Who says the mountainous dry rugged surface is worthless and adds no wonder? It is time to prove it wrong! Believe it or not, the natural monument Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile, has made everyone dumbstruck. Located 55 km South of San Pedro de Atacama, this natural monument stands as an extra-ordinary landscape well characterized by its extensive saline coasts, natural reserve of minerals and a territory of great depressions.

The Salar de Atacama is the largest evaporating pool of Chile with a surface that surpasses 3000 square kilometers. Underneath the white and rough surface of Salar there is a big salt lake hidden by the thickness and the rough scab of salt that boast of containing the greater lithium reserves of the world.

The environs of Salar not only add extra mileage to its scenic beauties and spectacular chasm but also boast of some greatest attractions. With several archeological deposits, it has gained huge praises among the international archeologists.

To the east, it is enclosed by the main chain of Andes, while to the west lies a secondary mountain range of the Andes called Cordillera de Domeyko. To the eastern side of the Salar de Atacama you will find some large volcanoes dominating the landscape including Licancabur, Acamarachi and the Lascar, forming a generally north-south trending line of volcanoes that separate it from smaller endorheic basins.

Salar de Atacama – September

“The Atacama desert is the driest desert in the world. It is nested along the coast of Chile, right between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains.”

“Valley of the Moon, Atacama, Chile”

“This is one of the most spectacular views that you will ever see. The Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) is a salt lake in the southwest of the altiplano of Bolivia, on the Chilean border at the foot of the volcano Licancabur. Its colour is caused by sediments, containing copper minerals. It is elevated some 4,300 m (14,000 ft) above sea level.”

Volcan Licancabur-Antofagasta

“El Camino de la MuerteIts ( its name in Spanish) is a 61 km road from La Paz to Coroico, Bolivia. It is legendary for its extreme danger and in 1995 the Inter-American Development Bank christened it as the “world’s most dangerous road”. One estimate is that 200-300 travelers were killed yearly along the road.”

‘Road of Death’ or ‘Death Road’ as it’s called, the North Yungas Road, 35 miles (56 km) northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region of Bolivia has one of the toughest terrains in the world. Connecting La Paz to Coroico, the road stretches 61 to 69 km depending upon the source. The estimated suggests that the ‘killer-road’ takes 200-300 lives every year. Owing to the dangers associated with the road, in 1995, the Inter-American Development Bank christened it as the “world’s most dangerous road”.

Full of stones, rocks and shingles, the road offers a dirt track edging the mountain connecting La Paz and Coroico. It gets worse with rain and fog, which not only reduces the visibility, but also makes the road surface muddy, and slackens rocks from the hillsides. This is why the region is highly prone to accidents. Often the mini-buses skid over the sides of the road plunging into the deep canyons, this has lead to high death count over the years. The spots of accidents have been marked with crosses.

Further, high drop-offs of at least 600 meters (1,969 ft), lack of guard rails, single-lane width of 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) through most of the road makes the ‘Death Road’ most vulnerable for accidents.

“Mountain Biking Down the World’s Most Dangerous Road. Picture taken by Gravity Bolivia”

The road was constructed in 1930s during the Chaco War to connect La Paz with Amazon rainforest region of northern Bolivia or Yungas. Starting from La Paz the road first ascends 5 km and then descends 330 m along the steep hillsides.

Quite interestingly, in 1990s the perils associated with the road made it widely popular as a tourist destination. Around 25000 enthusiasts visited the road during the 90s, particularly for the mountain bikers who found the road excellent for downhill biking. However, it needs a mention that Yungas Road remains a highly risky expedition with nearly 13 cyclists dead since 1998.

“Yungas ‘Death’ Road, Bolivia”

“Some of the best photos from mountain biking down the World’s Most Dangerous Road in Bolivia (Also known as Bolivia’s Death Road) with Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking (www.gravitybolivia.com).”

“The Death Road in Bolivia. 64km long, all of it downhill: you descend 11,800 feet, from snow-covered peaks down to the steaming Amazon Jungle. It’s eight feet wide, made of gravel, and edged by sheer drops of 3,000 feet. Your mountain bike can reach speeds of 70km/h on the four-hour ride, occasionally requiring you to swerve to avoid oncoming trucks and buses. People have died on the descent “